Page 11 of Finding English

Chapter 5

As Cassie watched her daughter having the bright yellow cast put on her arm, she wrapped her own arms around her waist. Today had not gone to plan at all. Micky had fractured her arm, but it was a nice clean break and would heal well. The pain medications had helped, and now she was talking up a storm to Henry.

Henry, the sweet, sexy man who had been invading her dreams all week, had stayed with her as they waited for the x-ray, then the doctors, then the plaster room techs. He’d stayed close, offering support, distracting both her and Micky and not once had he complained or looked like he’d wanted to leave.

She had offered, told him she was fine, and he could go, but he’d shaken his head, said he wasn’t leaving her. A warm shiver pulsed through her as she wondered if there was more behind his words. Could she be brave and trust another man? She didn’t know the answer. This was about more than her asshole ex-boyfriend leaving her and Michaela. It went all the way back to her childhood. She shook her head as bile rose, the horror of her past trying to drown her in fear and pain. She fought it, not wanting to be that weak person. She needed to be the sunny, smiling woman everyone knew now.

She had trusted her ex, yet it had taken months and months for her to open up to him and he’d been so good about her nightmares, her fears but then when she was strong mentally and doing more than surviving but actually thriving, he’d dealt her a blow.

Was Henry the same? Would he gain her trust only to break her heart? A big part of her wanted it not to be the case, but then he was only here for six months, and he’d go back to his life in the UK, and she’d be alone again. Perhaps it was best to stay alone and avoid the pain. And the joy and pleasure a little voice in her mind pointed out.

She would be a fool not to admit that a life with a man like Henry, having the love and support her friends Mackenzie and Hope had, wasn’t tempting. More than tempting. She wanted it more than anything, and Henry was the first man since Micky’s dad who had even made her question her stance on men. Was she brave enough? She didn’t know, but she wanted to be.

Looking at Micky, she saw the strength and resilience she loved so much and wanted to be more like her daughter. As a child, she’d been fearless, and then evil had touched her family, and she had dulled a little. Her spark only returned when she found these friends in her life, who’d nurtured her without realizing it. Could Henry be the man to give her everything else? Just then he glanced at her, his lips tilting into a warm smile, making her body hum and her heart beat faster.

Cassie wanted to reach for him, as she had in the kitchen, to touch him like she had the right. Like he was hers to do that to. To lean into him and take the support he offered and give him her love in return. She looked away, feeling silly for even thinking about love so early on. They’d only known each other for just over a week, and yet it felt like so much longer.

“Look, Mom, it’s bright like bananas.”

Cassie grinned as she touched the cast in bright banana yellow softly. “It sure is, munchkin.”

Micky had insisted that Henry look after her fairy wings, the offending item that had caused her to fall in the first place.

“You want these back?” He held them to Micky, who nodded as he lifted her down gently from the bed. He crouched to her, sliding the wings on to her arms and settling them at her back. “No, more trying to fly though. Humans only fly on an airplane, a rocket, a hot air balloon, or with a parachute.” His voice was firm but gentle with Micky, and she nodded at him. “Good girl. Now, I believe I promised you ice cream if you were brave.”

Cassie grinned. She’d have agreed to nearly anything when they’d arrived at the hospital, just to put a smile on Michaela’s face. Having ice cream with Henry wasn’t a chore, though. He was fun to be around and certainly easy to look at. Right then she’d decided to be brave, not to let the past destroy her future, whatever that may be.

“You want ice cream, Mic?”

“Yes, please.”

Cassie took her daughter’s hand as they walked out the building after picking up the care instructions for the cast and booking the follow-up appointment.

“You need to hold Mommy’s hand so you don’t get lost,” Micky said to Henry as they got to the door of the hospital’s accident and emergency department.

Henry looked at her and raised his brow, a sexy smirk on his face. Feeling brave, Cassie held out her hand, and with a slightly surprised look on his face, he took it.

Micky nodded happily. “Good job.”

Henry’s hand was warm and firm as he held her own. It was so natural, like they did this all the time. By the time they walked into the ice cream parlor, it was already nine pm, but she knew her daughter wouldn’t sleep until she’d had her treat and she wanted this as much as Micky did.

The older gentleman in a white uniform and hat smiled as they entered. It was quiet with only a few other people out. A teenage couple were sharing a fishbowl, a family of five all talking over each other, and them.

The man behind the counter leaned his arm on the top and looked at Micky. “I see you got yourself a fancy cast there, young ’un.”

“I broked it.”

“Well, tell me, were you brave?”

Micky looked to her mom, who nodded.

“Mommy says yes, I was brave.”

“And what about your dad here?”

Cassie’s heart was practically jump from her chest at the innocent question. Her eyes swung to Henry, who’d even flinched. “Henry isn’t my daddy.” Cassie let the breath go, her body relaxing at her daughter’s explanation. Her next words almost had her swallowing her tongue though. “Not yet, anyway.”

Cassie heard the strangled snort from Henry and turned to see him laughing at her.